Catheter device, comprising a valve for controlling a fluid flow through a catheter

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a catheter device (100) comprising a catheter (68) for insertion into a living being and at least one lumen (69, 70, 74, 79) for guiding a fluid flow within a section of the catheter device, and comprising a valve for controlling a fluid flow, in particular through a catheter, having a valve control chamber (12, 12a), into which an inlet opening (1a) of an inlet channel (1) and an outlet opening (2a) of an outlet channel (2) open, and further having a closure element (5, 13, 17) which can be moved in the valve control chamber (12, 12a) in a controlled manner and which, in at least a first position (I), closes the outlet opening (2a), in at least a second position (II) closes the inlet opening (1a), and which, in at least a third position (III), keeps open a connecting channel between the inlet opening (1a) and the outlet opening (2a), a valve train (A, A′, B, B′, 3, 14, 18) being provided and optionally moving the closure element (5, 13, 17) to at least the first, second or third position, and the at least one lumen (68, 70, 74, 79) being fluidically connected to the inlet channel or the outlet channel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/545,003, filed on Jul. 20, 2017, which is a national stage filingunder 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No.PCT/EP2016/051358, filed on Jan. 22, 2016, which claims priority toEuropean Patent Application No. EP15152201.8, filed on Jan. 22, 2015.The specifications of each of the foregoing applications are herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention lies in the field of mechanics and is particularlyadvantageously applicable to the field of medical technology. It relatesin particular to a valve which even at different pressure conditionspermits a reliable blocking of a fluid flow through a catheter.

BACKGROUND

Various shut-off valves for the control of fluid flows are known fromthe state of the art. An industrially developed disposable shut-offvalve is disclosed for example in DE 20 2013 104711 A1. A simple checkvalve is known for example from DE 11 2009 003 676 T5. Such check valvesare applied for example in motor vehicle technology. Such shut-offvalves basically have a very restricted area of application, whereinproblems either occur at overpressure or underpressure or in the case ofpressure fluctuations, since such valves are often only designed for anarrow pressure range. However, a separation of media is moreoverabsolutely necessary, which is to say the actual fluid channel includingthe blocking location must be hermetically closed from the otherelements of a valve, such as the drive elements for example, in the caseof application in the medical field, but also in other special fields.

Moreover, a simple cleaning and sterilisation possibility or selectivelya simple exchangeability in the case of disposable components being usedis important for applications in the field of medical technology.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Against the background of the state of the art, it is therefore theobject of the invention to create a catheter device or a valve, whichpermits a reliable shutting and opening of a fluid channel at low fluidthroughputs, also under different pressure conditions.

This object is achieved by the features of the invention according tothe patent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention arespecified in the dependent claims.

This firstly relates to a catheter device, comprising a catheter forintroduction into a living being, as well as at least one lumen forleading a fluid flow with a part of the catheter device and well ascomprising a valve for the control of a fluid flow in particular througha catheter, with a valve control space, in which a feed channel runs outwith a feed opening, and a discharge channel runs out with a dischargeopening, and with a closure element which is moveable in a controlledmanner in the valve control space and which in at least one firstposition closes the discharge opening, in at least one second positioncloses the feed opening and in at least one third position holds open aconnection channel between the feed opening and the discharge opening,wherein a valve drive is provided, which moves the closure elementselectively at least into the first, second or third position, whereinthe at least one lumen is connected in a fluid-conducting manner to thefeed channel or to the discharge channel.

As is explained in more detail once again further below, a very preciseleading of rinsing fluid is possible with the catheter device, thisbeing the case with regard to the rinsing direction as well as withregard to the rinsing volumes and rinsing flows in the catheters. Thisis particularly effected against the background of flexible rotatableshafts, which in particular have a suction effect or changing pressureconditions, depending on the length and the location of installation.Moreover, a perfect functioning of the valves is of utmost importanceindeed in this field of medical technology. In particular, the couplingto a separating device for removing contamination and wear debris, forexample metal wear debris, out of the rinsing fluid is alsocontrollable. This can be the case for example if a temporary directionreversal for cleaning makes sense in the case of a “through-rinsing” ofa separating device (thus of a device for capturing/trapping weardebris, etc.)

Examples of such a separating device for example are explained in theparallel ECP 46 PCT (file number not yet known) of ECP GmbH which hasbeen filed on the same day. The priority of both prior applications EP15152201.8 and EP 15152205.9 is moreover claimed. The contents of thedisclosure of all three patent applications in their initially filedform are hereby incorporated in their entirety into the presentapplication by reference (“incorporation by reference”).

One embodiment envisages the catheter comprising a rotatable shaft. Thisfor example is flexible, in particular flexible in a manner such that itcan be adapted to a curvature of a human aortic arch, thus that a pumphead at the tip of the flexible shaft is introduced into the ventricleof the heart, for example on introducing a respective shaft into thefemoral artery and leading it further along the aorta, and that thecatheter automatically adapts to the curvature of the aortic arch onpushing the catheter in the direction of the rising aorta.

In an embodiment, the drive device is selected outside the living being(thus outside the femoral artery in the above example), and therotatable shaft runs into the femoral artery for example to into theleft ventricle for the drive of a pump head of a catheter pump (heartpump) which is positioned there.

A further embodiment envisages the catheter comprising more than onelumen, wherein at least one lumen is designed for the leading of fluidin the distal direction and at least one lumen for leading the fluid inthe proximal direction.

In an embodiment, between 10 and 90 percent of the fluid flow led in thedistal direction and in a first lumen, can be led back in another lumenand in the proximal direction. With so called “Y-rinsing”, thus a fluidflow is delivered in the distal direction, a part of the rinsing fluidfor example gets into the heart at the distal end of the catheter andanother part of the rinsing fluid then exits again through therespective other lumen. Yet more complex embodiments are possible, withwhich the drive device (i.e. the drive which is located for exampleoutside the body) is additionally yet supplied with a fluid flow, inorder for example to remove wear debris in the region of the bearingsetc. out of the catheter device.

For this reason, embodiments envisage one, two, three or also morevalves being provided, in order for example to carry out more complexrinsing (flushing) procedures or deliberate reversals of the rinsingdirection (for cleaning a separating device for example).

One embodiment envisages several valves, for example two valves beingprovided, wherein the discharge of the first valve is connected to feedto the drive device of the catheter device, and a second valve beingpresent, wherein the feed of the second valve is connected to a lumen ofthe catheter which leads fluid in the proximal direction.

Different embodiments of valves in a catheter device 100 are shown inthe specific description part. This in particular relates to theembodiments 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12.

It is also to be mentioned that the valves are designed such that avalve drive of the closure element is separable, i.e. can be separatedfrom the remainder of the arrangement in a tool-free manner, above allto permit a simpler exchange and to ensure the sterility at low costs,even with a multiple use of parts of the arrangement.

It is also to be mentioned that the valve drive can be effected in anymanner. Apart from magnetically acting drives, the drive can also beeffected in a purely mechanical manner, and it can also be effectedelectrically or also inductively, and here any drives permitting the manskilled in the art to achieve a movement of the closure element into thefirst, second and/or third position are possible.

Amongst other things, the application also relates to a valve for thecontrol of a fluid flow through a catheter, with a valve control space,in which feed channel runs out with a feed opening, and a dischargechannel runs out with a discharge opening, and with a closure elementwhich is movable in a controlled manner in the valve control space andwhich in at least one first position closes the discharge opening, in atleast one second position closes the feed opening and in at least onethird position holds open a connection channel between the feed openingand the discharge opening, wherein a valve drive is provided, whichmoves the closure element selectively into the first, second or thirdposition. In one design, different valve gap sizes can be activated forthe control of a flow, in the third or further valve positions.

The valve can block the fluid flow by way of closing the dischargeopening as well as by way of closing the feed opening, due to thedesign. The terms feed channel and discharge channel are selected suchthat the feed channel with its run-out indicates the channel which actsas a feed channel under normal or statistically the most frequentcircumstances and pressure conditions. The term discharge channel isdefined analogously.

On account of this, with a pressure in the feed channel which is higherthan in the discharge channel, as well as with a pressure in thedischarge channel which is higher than in the feed channel, in each casethere is the possibility of assisting the closure forces and thus thesealed seating of the closure body, on account of the pressuredifference, by way of the closure body closing the discharge openinggiven an overpressure in the feed channel, whereas the closure bodycloses the feed opening given an excess pressure in the dischargechannel. In each of these cases, the closure body is held in the closureposition by way of the pressure difference between the valve controlspace and the respectively closed channel, additionally to themechanical drive forces.

Since the feed channel in certain cases can function as a dischargechannel and vice versa, one could also simply indicate the feed channelas a first channel and the discharge channel as a second channel.

The reliable sealing is particularly important in such systems in whichalternating pressure conditions or ones changing over the longer termcan prevail. Such conditions for example prevail in catheters which areused for leading mechanically drivable, rotating shafts and/or forrinsing such catheters. Usually, a very low fluid throughput is desiredwhen rinsing or flushing catheters leading a rotating shaft and thisvery low fluid throughput, amongst other things, leads to wear particlesof the shaft being moved further only in a defined direction. Suchrotating shafts are often manufactured from a bundle of twisted wires,wherein the bundle has a spiral shape at its outer contour. This spiralshape in the case of a rapid rotation of the shaft accomplishes adelivery effect of the rinsing fluid surrounding the shaft, so that asuction effect occurs additionally to the actual revolving movement ofthe rinsing fluid which is effected by the rinsing agent pump. Thissuction effect changes with time, since the contour of the shaft changeswith time due to the wearing and abrasive friction. Changing pressureconditions which could even lead to a reversal of the rinsing agent flowoccur in corresponding rinsing catheters on account of this. Thereby,with a valve according to the invention, one seeks the possibility ofachieving a reliable blocking/control of such a fluid flow,independently of the pressure conditions. As stated above, thepossibility arises of achieving a closure of the respective fluidchannel by way of selective closure of the feed opening or the dischargeopening (or: first opening or second opening), depending on the pressuregradient, wherein the respective closed opening can be selectedaccording to the position, in which the closure position of the closureelement at the opening is stabilised by the pressure gradient.

Designs envisage at least parts of the valve being conceived asdisposable components. This makes sense for example in the field ofmedical technology. Fluid-leading components (for example the valvecontrol space) can be exchangeable as disposable components in thismanner. Expensive components such as e.g. the valve drive of the closureelement which preferably do not come into direct contact with the fluidare envisaged as reusable components. Thus for example it is possiblefor the valve control space to be part of a catheter, in particular of acatheter hose for example of plastic material. Systems which operate ina contact-free manner (e.g. magnetically, inductively) or utiliseelastic characteristics e.g. of the valve control space, in order totransmit drive forces can be considered as valve drives for example.

One design envisages the third position of the closure element lyingbetween the first and the second position.

This has the effect that a release of the fluid channel is renderedpossible from each of the closure positions by way of a minimal movementof the closure element, and that each of the two closure positions canbe reached from the third position in a rapid and reliable manner and byway of a minimal movement of the closure element.

One can further envisage the valve control space being closed off in afluid-tight manner on all sides with the exception of the feed openingand the discharge opening.

This design effects a complete separation of the media, so that theelements of the valve drive do not come into contact with the actualfluid to be controlled.

This can be achieved for example by way of the closure elementcomprising a movable membrane which closes off the valve control spacein a fluid tight manner and which is deflectable in a manner such thatthe feed opening or the discharge opening can be selectively closed byparts of the membrane

The membrane which is peripherally connected in a fluid-tight manner tothe remaining parts of the valve control space, in particular bonded orwelded, in the non-deflected condition forms a closure of the valvecontrol space. The fluid to be controlled can flow past the membranebetween the feed opening and the discharge opening or vice versa. Themembrane is thereby designed in an elastically or plastically deformablemanner, so that it can be deflected, and specifically to such an extentthat it or part of it can be selectively brought in front of one of thetwo openings, the feed opening or the discharge opening, and can bepressed against this opening. A closure of the feed opening or thedischarge opening is achieved by way of this. The membrane is relaxedfor opening the respective feed opening or discharge opening, so that inthe ideal case it moves into its initial condition by itself or due toits intrinsic tension.

For this, an advantageous design of the invention envisages a drivelever of the valve drive deflecting the membrane at least into the firstand the second position.

The drive lever thus engages below the membrane and deflects this tosuch an extent that it is clamped between the feed opening or thedischarge opening and the drive lever, and closes the respectiveopening. If the drive lever of the valve drive is moved back, themembrane then releases again from the respective opening.

The drive lever thereby at its end pressing against the membrane canhave a spherical or ellipsoidal shape for example, which is particularlywell suited for the closure of an opening in the valve control spaceamid the interposing of the membrane.

A further advantageous design of the invention can envisage the closureelement being driveable by way of a magnetically acting valve drive.

It is possible for example to completely separate the valve itself fromthe drive unit by way of such a design, for example by way of the valvecontrol space being separated from the magnetic drive by agas-impermeable or fluid-impermeable wall. The complete valve body whichsurrounds the valve control space can once again be separated from theelements producing the magnetic fields for the drive, by an intermediatemedia-separating wall.

The part of the drive lever which is away from the valve control spacecan be magnetically designed and be deflectable by way of an externalmagnet for example.

The invention can moreover be advantageously designed such that theclosure element arranged in the valve control space is magneticallyactive and interacts with a magnetic field of the valve drive.

In this case, the closure element or a part of the closure element canconsist of a magnet body which for example can be magnetised or can atleast consist of a ferromagnetic material and be driven in the field ofan external magnet. In this case, the magnetically active part of theclosure element is covered with a fluid-impermeable layer which is notmagnetically active, so that the fluid, whose flow through the valve isto be controlled, does not come into contact with the magneticallyactive part.

A further advantageous design envisages the valve control space as wellas the parts of the valve drive which are mechanically connected to theclosure element, with the exception of the feed opening and dischargeopening being closed off in a fluid-tight manner and in particular beingseparable from a magnetic field producing device of the valve drive.

Due to this design, it is possible for example to separate (which meanspreferably to separate/to decouple in a destructive-free manner) a partof the valve which comprises the valve control space and, as the casemay be, a closure body or parts of the closure body, from the magneticfield production device with little effort and for it to be replaced asa disposable component. The magnetic field production device for itspart can then be used several times.

A further advantageous design of the invention envisages the closureelement being moved by an elastic spring element, preferably into thethird position.

The closure element can be held in the third position by the elasticspring element, for example a helical spring, and be brought by a driveinto the first or second position against the force of the spring. Afterswitching off the valve drive, one envisages the elastic spring elementautomatically moving the closure element into the third position. Inthis manner, one succeeds in the closure element not being subjected toan external force action and thus in the valve remaining stationary inthe opened condition, in the event of the failure of the electricalsupply, inasmuch as electromagnetic are used for the drive. The releaseof the closure element from the first position and the second positionis moreover assisted by the elastic spring element.

The invention can moreover be advantageously designed by way of a magnetbeing provided as part of a separating device directly on the valvecontrol space, in particular in the inside of the closure element. Inthis case, magnetic and magnetisable particles can be bound by themagnet of the separating device, in the valve control space, so thatthey are kept way from the sealing surfaces of the valve. Thereby, inparticular one can envisage the magnet/magnets being provided separatelyfrom and in particular distanced to the drive armatures of the valvedrive.

However, one can also envisage the magnet of the separating device beingcombined or connected to one or more magnets of the valve drive, or afirst functional surface of a magnet can serve for the separation ofparticles, whereas other functional surfaces can serve for the valvefunction.

The invention can moreover relate to a protective device for a valvewhich is in connection with a flowing fluid, characterised in that aseparating device for holding back particles located in the fluid andwith at least one magnetic element is provided along the flow channelfor the fluid, in particular a catheter, in a manner distanced to thevalve and in particular separated from this.

The separating device can advantageously be provided upstream of thevalve with respect to the predominant flow direction of the fluid, butthe two mentioned elements can also be simply provided subsequently toone another, in particular distanced to one another, for example alsoconstructionally separated from one another, for example in the form oftwo separate construction elements with different housings.

The valve can be free of magnetic or magnetically acting elements andfor example as a whole be non-magnetic. It can comprise a sealingsurface, which is to be protected from particles.

The valve can also comprise magnetic components, such as a drive magnetor an armature. The magnet element of the separating device can be amagnet which is separated from the magnetic components of the valve, ora functional surface of a magnetic construction element whichexclusively has the function of particle separation, wherein otherfunctional surfaces of the magnetic construction element can carry outother functions of the valve such a drive function for example. In thislatter mentioned case, the magnet element of the separating device canbe combined with a magnetic construction element of the valve, be joinedtogether with this, grouped together with this and in particular also begrouped together in a housing.

The functional surface of the separating device can thus capture andbind particles, in particular magnetic and/or magnetisable particles,before they get to the valve and thus compromise the valve function, forexample the sealing function of the sealing surfaces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention is hereinafter represented and explained hereinafter, byway of embodiment examples in the figures of a drawing.

Thereby are represented:

FIG. 1 a first embodiment of a valve with a magnetic valve drive, in aschematic cross section,

FIG. 2 the valve arrangement of FIG. 1, in a three-dimensional view,

FIG. 3 in a schematic section, a second embodiment of a valve accordingto the invention,

FIG. 4 a view of an elastic spring element,

FIG. 5 a three-dimensional view of the valve arrangement of FIG. 3,

FIG. 6 a valve which is connected to a separating device,

FIG. 7 a further valve connected to a separating device,

FIG. 8 a drive unit for a functional element which can be driven by wayof a shaft rotating in a catheter,

FIG. 9 a modification of a drive unit according to FIG. 8,

FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 in each case, further designs of drive devices forshafts rotating in a catheter as well as

FIG. 12 a modification of a drive unit according to FIG. 9

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 schematically shows a valve body 11 with a feed channel 1, adischarge channel 2 as well as a drive lever 3 which deflects a membrane5. The membrane 5 closes the valve control space 12 which is locatedwithin the valve body 11, in a fluid-tight manner, and can be pressed bya spherical end 13, selectively against the feed opening 1 a or thedischarge opening 2 a, in order to either close the feed channel 1 orthe discharge channel 2.

The drive lever 3 is pivotable about a shaft 7, which with spacersleeves 8 is mounted in the drive housing 6. The drive lever 3 isrepresented once in an unbroken manner in the third position III, inwhich it leaves open a connection channel between the feed opening 1 aand the discharge opening 2 a, as well in a dashed manner in a firstposition I, in which the spherical end 13 closes the discharge opening 2a by way of the membrane 5, and also dashed, in a second position II, inwhich the drive lever closes the feed opening 1 a by way of the membrane5.

The elastic spring element 10 is represented as a helical spring in thedrive housing 6 in the lower part, and this helical spring connects theend of the drive lever 3 which is away from the membrane to the base ofthe housing 6 and thus holds the drive lever in the third position III.

Two electromagnets A, B are represented on both sides of the drivehousing 6 and these, when they are subjected to a current, produce amagnetic field which acts upon the lower part 14 of the drive lever 3and moves this into the first position I or into the second position IIdepending on the direction of the magnetic forces. The lower part 14 ofthe drive lever 3 is designed in a magnetically active manner for thispurpose, either as a ferromagnetic, magnetisable or as a magnetisedcomponent.

FIG. 2 in a three-dimensional view shows a first housing 15 whichcomprises or accommodates the valve body with the valve control space aswell as the membrane and at least parts of the drive lever 3 and inparticular also the drive housing 6. The magnets A, B are arranged in asecond housing 16 which is movable with respect to the first housing 15,in particular can also be separated from this. One can envisage bothhousings 15 16 being connected, for example the first housing 15 beingable to be snapped or locked in a holder of the second housing 16.However, it has been found to be advantageous if the first housing 15 isseparately removable, so that the parts of the valve device which arecontained in the housing 15 can be exchanged separately and inparticular can be treated as a disposable valve part.

A valve arrangement with a valve body 11 a which encloses a valvecontrol space 12 a, in which a closure body 17 is movably mounted, isshown in FIG. 3. The closure body 17 comprises a magnetically activecore 17 a and an encasing 17 b, in particular of a plastic, whichencloses or encases the core 17 a, and is connected to a bearing washer18. The bearing washer is represented in a plan view in FIG. 4. It ismounted on the valve body 11 a at its periphery and as a whole iselastic, so that it holds the closure body 17 in the represented middleposition. The bearing washer 18 comprises several openings 25 whichpermit the through-flow of the fluid to be controlled by the valve.

The ends 19, 20 of the closure body 17 are shaped and designed such thatthey can close the feed opening 1 a or the discharge opening 2 a, with acorresponding deflection of the closure body 17 and with a resilientdeformation of the bearing washer 18.

For this purpose, the encasing 17 b of the closure body 17 can consistof an elastic material, in particular of an elastomer for example. Themagnetic core 17 a of the closure body 17, by way of the magnet devicesA′, B′ can be subjected to a force which pulls the closure body 17either in the direction of the feed opening 1 a or in the direction ofthe discharge opening 2 a, in order to bring the valve into the first orthe second closure position.

The valve body 11 a in FIG. 5 in a three-dimensional view is representedas a housing which encloses the valve control space 12 a as well as thefeed channel 1 and the discharge channel 2, as well as the housing 16 acomprising the magnet devices A′ and B′. The housing 11 a is separablefrom the housing part 16 a if a part of the valve device is to bedesigned as a disposable valve, so that the magnet devices can be usedseveral times or continue to be used, whereas the part of the valvewhich comprises the valve control space 12 can be exchanged.

FIG. 3 shows the valve according to the invention in combination with afluid control device which is likewise according to the invention andwhich comprises a catheter 21, a rotating shaft 22 passing through thecatheter 21, as well as a rinsing device which is not represented indetail, wherein the valve with the valve body 11 a, the valve controlspace 12 a and the mechanical parts of the valve drive forms a part ofthe rinsing device. Further parts of the rinsing device for example canbe a rinsing agent pump and rinsing agent reservoir, which are notrepresented in detail. The feed channel or discharge channel 1, 2 can beconnected to the catheter 21, in order to permit rinsing agent to be ledinto or out of the catheter by way of suitable actuation of the valve.The twisted structure of the shaft 22 is also to be recognised in FIG.3, and this can lead to a different suction and pressure effectdepending on the speed of the shaft rotation and the wearing of theshaft.

FIG. 6 shows a magnetic valve with a transport channel, through whichfluid flows between a feed opening 1′ and a discharge opening 2′. Aclosure body 50 can be driven within the transport channel 88 between afirst closure position and a second closure position, wherein a firstclosure surface 51 closes a valve opening 51 a in a first closureposition, whereas a closure surface 52 closes a valve opening 52 a inthe second closure position.

Two armature bodies 53, 54 which can be driven by the magnetic field oftwo valve drive coils 55, 56 are integrated into the closure body 50.The magnet 86 of the separating device is arranged axially between thearmatures bodies 53, 54 in a manner flush with these. The armaturebodies with the magnet body 86 is provided with a common solid matterencasing 87. The particles which cling to the solid mater encasing 87are indicated at 15 by way of example.

Holding springs 57, 58 in the absence of an excitation of the valvedrive coils hold the closure body in a middle position, in which thevalve is open. Two plain bearings 59, 60 are provided at the ends of thevalve housing, for guiding the closure body 50.

FIG. 7 shows a valve with a feed opening 1″, a discharge opening 2″ anda closure body 50′. The closure body 50′ can be driven within thetransport channel 88′ between a first closure position and a secondclosure position, wherein a first closure surface 51′ closes a valveopening 51 a′ in the first closure position, whereas a closure surface52′ closes a valve opening 52 a′ in the second closure position. Theclosure body 50′ is mounted in the housing of the valve by way of anelastic, permeable disc 61 and is held in an opened middle position. Thedisc 61 carries separating magnets 86′, 86″ which are connected in theclosure body 50′ to valve drive armatures 62, 63 and together with theseare enveloped by a protective layer.

The valve drive armatures 62, 63 are can be driven in the field of thecoils 64, 65. Particles can accumulate in the transport channel on theseparating magnets on the protective layer and can be retained there.

The catheter device 100 mentioned in the claims is now represented inthe FIGS. 8-12 in several alternatives.

FIG. 8 shows a catheter device 100, comprising a drive unit with a drivearmature 66 drivable in rotation and driving a rotating shaft 67 in acatheter 68. Lumens, designed radially to the outside as a feed channel69 and radially to the inside as a return channel 70 are arrangedconcentrically to one another within the catheter 68 and to the outerenvelope of the catheter. The feed channel 69 and the return channel 70are separated from one another by a hose-like separating wall 71.

A rinsing fluid is pumped from a reservoir 73 through a lumen 74 whichis designed as a cannula, and a valve 75, by way of a volume-controlledperistaltic pump 72. Two magnets 76 and 77 serve for the drive of thevalve and are activated by way of a pressure switch 78 with the aim ofmaintaining a constant pressure in the feed channel 69. The fluid forthis is led through the valve 75 and through the housing of the drivearmature 66, through the lumen 79 designed as a transport channel andthrough the separating device 80 where particles are actively filteredout of the fluid. The separating device 80 can be constructed as theseparating device shown in FIG. 6. From there, the fluid flows into thecatheter 68 radially outwards through the feed channel 69 and radiallyinwards through the return channel 70, as well as from there to aperistaltic pump 81 which sucks the fluid and leads into the reservoir82. The peristaltic pump 81 however can also serve for back-rinsing andfor this purpose can be operated in a manner such that it delivers thefluid to the return channel 70 and from there via the feed channel 69,through the separating device back to the valve 75 into the reservoir73, in order for example to remove the captured particles from theseparating device.

FIG. 9 shows a construction similar to that of FIG. 8, whereinadditionally to the valve 75, a second valve 75′ is arranged between thereturn channel 70 and the return pump 80, in front of the drive armature66 and behind the peristaltic pump 72. Whist FIG. 8 is applied withrinsing systems, in which no undesired vacuum is produced in the returndue to installation components, it is possible to apply FIG. 9 also withrinsing systems, in which an undesired vacuum arises in the return (e.g.due to the winding direction of the flexible shaft). This vacuum isrecognised by the sensor which then, by way of closing the valve 75′ tothe bottom, ensures that no medium gets out of the container 82 via thepump 81 into the rinsing circuit. The separating device is thus arrangedbetween two valves and also between to fluid delivery devices, of whichat least one, in particular both, can be switched over with respect tothe delivery direction of the fluid, in order to reverse the flowdirection. With regard to the construction according to FIG. 10, incomparison to the construction in FIG. 8, it is only a peristaltic pump72 which has been replaced by a reservoir 83 which permits a gravityflushing, by way of the fluid flowing through the valve 75 and furtherto the catheter 68 due to gravity. The rotating shaft 84 within thecatheter 68, due to its stranded/twisted construction based on twistedstrands has a helical (coiled) outer structure, which on rotation givesthis itself a pumping effect in the direction away from the drivearmature 66. Another variant with a volume-controlled peristaltic pump72 and with a reservoir 73 is represented on the right side of FIG. 10,to the right of the dashed line 85, for the feed of fluid to thecatheter 68. The peristaltic pump there delivers the fluid to the insideof the catheter which for example is introduced into the body of apatient and there ends at a heart pump 85 with a rotor 85 a. The heartpump for example can be radially compressed which is to say as a wholecan be particularly prone to particles which get therein. The fluid thenflows back from there. A separating device 80 can be provided in eachcase upstream of the catheter 68 in the flow direction, between this andthe delivery device 73, 83, in particular in any case upstream of theheart pump 85.

FIG. 11 shows a constellation similar to that of FIG. 9, wherein agravity delivery 83 is envisaged instead of the peristaltic pump 72,wherein on normal operation, fluid leads from there via the valve intothe catheter 68 and there firstly radially outwards through the feedchannel 69, radially inwards into the return channel 70, as well as fromthere to a peristaltic pump 81 which sucks the fluid and leads it intothe reservoir 82. The fluid between the return channel 70 and theperistaltic pump 81 firstly passes the separating device 80 which isarranged between the return channel and the housing of the drivearmature 66. The fluid thereafter flows past the drive armature 66 tothe peristaltic pump 81. The mounting of the drive armature can berelatively insensitive, so that the through-flow direction of the fluidthere is of minor significance. What is important is that the housing ofthe drive armature is supplied with fluid, to ensure a good lubrication.The selected arrangement moreover ensures that magnetic wear particlesof the rotating shaft 84 in this case cannot damage the bearings of thedrive armature.

FIG. 12 shows a construction similar to FIG. 9, wherein a furtherseparating device 80′ ensures that the function of the sealing surfacesof the valve 75′ is not compromised by clinging particles.

The present application amongst other things relates to the followingaspects.

1. A valve for the control of a fluid flow, in particular through acatheter, with a valve control space (12, 12 a), in which a feed channel(1) runs out with a feed opening (1 a), and discharge channel (2) runsout with a discharge opening (2 a), and with a closure element (5, 13,17) which is movable in a controlled manner in the valve control space(12, 12 a) and which in at least one first position (I) closes thedischarge opening (2 a), in at least one second position (II) closes thefeed opening (1 a) and in at least one third position (III) holds open aconnection channel between the feed opening (1 a) and the dischargeopening (2 a), wherein a valve drive (A, B, A′, B′, 3, 14, 18) isprovided, which selectively moves the closure element (5, 13, 17) atleast into the first, second or third position.2. A valve according to aspect 1,characterised in thatthe third position (III) of the closure element (5, 13 17) lies betweenthe first and the second position.3. A valve according to aspect 1 or 2,characterised in thatthe valve control space (12, 12 a) can be separated from a valve driveof the closure element (5, 13 17).4. A valve according to aspect 1 and one of the following,characterised in thatthe valve control space (12, 12 a) with the exception of the feedopening (1 a) and the discharge opening (2 a) is closed off on all sidesin a fluid-tight manner.5. A valve according to aspect 1 or one of the following,characterised in thatthe closure element (5, 13, 17) comprises a movable membrane (5) whichcloses off the valve control space (12) in a fluid-tight manner and isdeflectable in a manner such that selectively the feed opening (1 a) orthe discharge opening (2 a) can be closed by parts of the membrane (5).6. A valve according to aspect 5,characterised in thata drive lever (3, 14) of the valve drive (3, 14, 18, A, B, B, B′)deflects the membrane (5) at least in the first and second position.7. A valve according to aspect 1 or one of the following,characterised in thatthe closure element (5, 13, 17) can be driven by a magnetically actingvalve drive (A, A′, B, B′)8. A valve according to aspect 7,characterised in thatthe closure element (5, 13, 17) which is arranged in the valve controlspace (12, 12 a) is magnetically active and interacts with a magneticfield of the valve drive (A, A′, B, B′).9. A valve according to aspect 6 and 7,characterised in thatthe drive lever (3, 14) can be magnetically driven.10. A valve according to aspect 7,characterised in thatthe valve control space (12, 12 a) as well as the parts (3, 14, 18) ofthe valve drive which are mechanically connected to the closure element(5, 13, 17), with the exception of the feed and discharge opening (1 a,2 a) are closed off in a fluid-tight manner and can be separated from amagnetic field production device (A, A′, B, B′) of the valve drive.11. A valve according to aspect 1 or one of the following,characterised in thatthe closure element is moved by an elastic spring element (10, 18),preferably into the third position (III).12. A valve according to aspect 1 or one of the flowing, characterisedin that a magnet (13″, 13′″, 13″″) is provided as part of a separatingdevice, directly on the valve control space (12, 12 a) in particular inthe inside of the closure element (5, 15, 17).13. A valve according to aspect 12, characterised in that themagnet/magnets (13″, 13′″, 13″″) are provided separately from and inparticular distanced to drive armatures (53, 54, 62, 63) of the onevalve drive.14. A catheter, comprising a valve according to at least one of thepreceding claims, characterised in that the valve control space can beseparated from a valve drive of the closure element.15. A protective device for a valve (75, 75′) which is in connectionwith a flowing fluid, characterised in that a separating device (80) forholding back particles located in the fluid and with at least one magnetelement (86, 86′, 86″) is provided along the flow channel (79, 88) forthe fluid, in particular a catheter, in a manner distanced to the valveand in particular separated from this.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A catheter device with a valve configuredto control a fluid flow through a catheter, the catheter devicecomprising: a valve body, the valve body comprising: a feed channelcomprising a feed opening; a discharge channel comprising a dischargeopening; a connection channel, wherein the feed opening and thedischarge opening are separated by the connection channel; and a closurebody configured to be movable in a controlled manner within the valvebody, the closure body configured to take a first position in which thedischarge opening is closed, a second position in which the feed openingis closed, and a third position in which the closure body is configuredto hold open the connection channel; and a valve drive configured tomove the closure body between the first position, the second position,and the third position; wherein the valve body is configured to bedetachable to the valve drive in a destructive-free manner, wherein atleast a part of the closure body is configured as a magnetic element andthe valve drive comprises a magnetic field productive device configuredto move the moveable closure element between the first position, thesecond position, and the third position.
 2. The catheter device of claim1, wherein the valve is operatively coupled to the catheter andconfigured to control the fluid flow through the catheter.
 3. Thecatheter device of claim 2, wherein the catheter comprises at least onelumen extending through the catheter, wherein the at least one lumen isconfigured to direct the fluid flow through the catheter device.
 4. Thecatheter device of claim 3, wherein the at least one lumen is connectedto the feed channel or the discharge channel and is configured to directfluid through the feed channel or the discharge channel.
 5. The catheterdevice of claim 1, wherein the valve body is configured to be detachablefrom the valve drive.
 6. The catheter device of claim 1, wherein thecatheter comprises a plurality of lumens, wherein a first lumen of theplurality of lumens is configured to direct a fluid in a distaldirection and a second lumen of the plurality of lumens is configured todirect the fluid in a proximal direction.
 7. The catheter device ofclaim 6, wherein the first lumen is coupled to the second lumen, whereinbetween 10 and 90 percent of the fluid directed in the distal directionin the first lumen is subsequently directed through the second lumen inthe proximal direction.
 8. The catheter device of claim 1, wherein thevalve is a first valve, and the catheter device further comprises asecond valve.
 9. The catheter device of claim 1, wherein the valve bodyis closed off on all sides in a fluid-tight manner, with the exceptionof the feed opening and the discharge opening.
 10. The catheter deviceof claim 1, wherein the closure body comprises a movable membraneadapted to close off the valve body in a fluid-tight manner and themoveable membrane is deflectable in a manner such that the feed openingor the discharge opening are selectively closable by parts of themovable membrane.
 11. The catheter device of claim 10, furthercomprising: a drive lever disposed on the valve drive, the drive leverconfigured to deflect the movable membrane such that the closure bodyassumes one of the first position or the second position.
 12. Thecatheter device of claim 11, wherein the drive lever is magneticallydrivable.
 13. The catheter device of claim 1, wherein the closure bodyis magnetically active and is configured to interact with a magneticfield of the valve drive.
 14. The catheter device of claim 1, whereinthe closure body comprises a magnetically active core and an encasing.15. The catheter device of claim 14, wherein the encasing is comprisedof at least one of a plastic or an elastic material.
 16. The catheterdevice of claim 1, wherein the closure body comprises a first armaturebody and a second armature body, wherein the first and second armaturebodies are configured to be driven by a magnetic field of the valvedrive.
 17. The catheter device of claim 16, wherein the closure bodyfurther comprises a separating device.
 18. The catheter device of claim17, wherein the separating device comprises a magnet, wherein the magnetis arranged axially between the first armature body and the secondarmature body.
 19. The catheter device of claim 16, wherein the firstarmature body and the second armature body are encased with a commonsolid matter.